H.B. No. 2079 seeks to repeal existing provisions that require school districts to reduce local revenue levels that exceed entitlement, specifically targeting references to these revenue levels in Chapter 49 of the Education Code. The bill removes language mandating these reductions and introduces new provisions to clarify funding mechanisms, allowing school districts to receive state aid without the constraints of previous local revenue limitations. Additionally, it includes adjustments for funding based on changes in tax rates and the impact of disasters on property values, ultimately aiming to enhance the financial autonomy of school districts.

The bill also amends various sections of the Education Code and Tax Code to streamline school funding and property taxation processes. It introduces provisions for additional state aid for districts affected by tax rate compression, particularly for the 2022-2023 school year, and modifies how taxable property values are determined by the comptroller. Furthermore, it establishes state assistance for employees of participating school districts and charter schools in purchasing group health coverage. The overall goal of the bill is to simplify the legal framework governing school finance and taxation while enhancing financial support for schools, with an effective date set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 12.013, Education Code 12.029, Education Code 13.054, Education Code 25.081, Education Code 29.087, Education Code 29.203, Education Code 37.0061, Education Code 45.251, Education Code 45.261, Education Code 48.010, Education Code 48.252, Education Code 48.2543, Education Code 48.2553, Education Code 48.258, Education Code 48.260, Education Code 48.266, Education Code 48.267, Education Code 48.272, Education Code 48.2721, Education Code 45.003, Education Code 48.283, Government Code 403.302, Insurance Code 1579.251, Tax Code 48.275, Tax Code 21.02, Tax Code 312.210 (Education Code 48, Tax Code 48, Insurance Code 1579, Tax Code 312, Tax Code 21, Education Code 12, Education Code 25, Government Code 403, Education Code 37, Education Code 13, Education Code 29, Education Code 45)